as in to avert
to keep from happening by taking action in advance
a lot of problems would have been prevented if we'd just prepared better
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Recent Examples of prevent
As usual, handling the environment and dimensions of Dodger Stadium will be key, from catchers preventing balls in the dirt from going to the backstop to outfielders making catches in the sun.
—
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
Sanders signed legislation last month that prevents drug middlemen from owning pharmacies in Arkansas.
—Lucas Dufalla, Arkansas Online, 24 May 2025
Toppin was stuck behind Julius Randle on the Knicks’ bench, and his defensive and rebounding shortcomings prevented him from earning a larger role in Tom Thibodeau’s rotation.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025
Megan had filed a restraining order against Lanez in December 2024 asking that the Los Angeles Superior Court judge prevent Lanez from allegedly harassing Megan from prison through third parties during his10-year jail sentence.
—Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevent
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
Sanders signed legislation last month that prevents drug middlemen from owning pharmacies in Arkansas.
—Lucas Dufalla, Arkansas Online, 24 May 2025
Toppin was stuck behind Julius Randle on the Knicks’ bench, and his defensive and rebounding shortcomings prevented him from earning a larger role in Tom Thibodeau’s rotation.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025
Megan had filed a restraining order against Lanez in December 2024 asking that the Los Angeles Superior Court judge prevent Lanez from allegedly harassing Megan from prison through third parties during his10-year jail sentence.
—Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevent
Verb
-
The enclave needs at least 500 to 600 trucks daily to avert a deepening humanitarian catastrophe, as civilians face a severe shortage of supplies like food and medicine, said UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in Gaza.—
Jeremy Diamond,
CNN Money,
26 May 2025
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Matthew Barrett, president and CEO of the Connecticut Association of Health Care Facilities, the state’s largest nursing home coalition, praised Lamont and union leadership for averting a work stoppage.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
23 May 2025
Verb
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America’s competition for prominence with Qatar in the LNG exports sector works to preclude major deals in that area.—
David Blackmon,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
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His job precludes him from playing favorites in a professional sense.—
Dennis Lin,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Hoerner avoided the tag, which would’ve been the second out of the inning.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
26 May 2025
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Taylor Clarke closed the door in relief to earn the save and help the Royals avoid a series sweep.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
25 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prevent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevent. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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